Sign language club starting up

By Beth Ranagan

DEXTER — Sign language is used by many people other than those who are deaf. Today it is used by parents and grandparents to help infants learn to communicate early in development. People with speech or voice impairments often know some sign language as an alternate mode of communication.

Teachers and therapists learn some sign language so that they can understand those using it instead of speech. Other people learn sign language because they have a family member or friend who is deaf. Children and adults find enjoyment in signing just as others enjoy using and learning a foreign language. Some folks are learning sign just for fun.

If you know some sign language, no matter how much, and would like to practice using it with others, you can join the sign language club starting on Wednesday, Sept. 14 6-8 p.m., at the Abbott Memorial Library. It is an opportunity for people of all levels of skill and experience to get together and practice what they know and learn from each other. Children are welcome if they are accompanied by a parent or caregiver. This is an intergenerational activity.

Gerry Amelotte, teacher of the deaf, will lead the group. He taught at the Baxter School for the Deaf in Portland and in central Maine schools. Amelotte is excited to sign with others and share signing skills as needed. Please call Liz at the Abbott Memorial Library at 924-729 for more information.